How to Teach Parakeets to Talk

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Co-authored by Marlene Mc'Cohen

Last Updated: July 25, 2024 Approved

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How to Train Your Parakeet to Talk

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Best Teaching Practices

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Expert Interview

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Expert Q&A

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Tips

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Warnings

Parakeets, also known as budgies, are very popular pets because they are easy to care for and are smart and inquisitive birds. If you want to bond with your parakeet and keep it stimulated and happy, you can even teach it to talk. Parakeets are great mimics that love to speak in the language of their flock, whether that flock consists of other birds or humans like you. In this article, we'll teach you the best tips and tricks for training your parakeet, including how to set your training sessions up for success.

Things You Should Know

Teach your parakeet one word at a time by repeating it over and over again.
Parakeets do best with words containing the consonants d, t, k, p, and b.
When your parakeet says the word, reward it with a treat.

Section 1 of 2:

How to Train Your Parakeet to Talk

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1
Repeat one word to your bird, over and over. Speak clearly and slowly, teaching them only one word at a time. Your parakeet may not know to repeat the word right away, but just keep repeating it.
- Note that parakeets are best with the consonants d,t,k,p, or b. A simple phrase like "Hi, how are you?" won't help because it is hard for your bird to say it.
- If you don't know what word to teach your bird first, consider teaching it it's name. This is a word they have probably heard before, so the sounds should be familiar to your parakeet already.
This will reinforce the behavior and also help to further the bond between you and your bird. Parakeets love millet sprays; Celery and carrots are also great treats and they provide essential nutrients for your budgie's health.

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However, don't try to train it for too long in one session. It's a good idea to work with your parakeet for about a half an hour a day. If you try to work with it for too long, your bird may get bored and could become less willing to learn.^{[1]
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Keep it focused by covering three sides of the bird's cage with a cloth. Stand right in front of their cage when talking to your bird, so it knows that it is you speaking to it.
Don't move onto a second word until your parakeet can say the first phrase correctly at least three times in a row. Making sure that your parakeet really knows a word before moving on will make it more likely that it will repeat the same word or phrase at a later time.
Do not try to force your parakeet to talk. Many parakeets never learn to talk, but it's fun to try!
Once your parakeet has mastered a few words, you can move on to full phrases. Just as with teaching it words, repeat the phrase to your parakeet when it is calm and willing to focus on you. The parakeet will be focused if you are the only one in the room,but others can cause your parakeet to be frightened.
As you say a word, hold up the object. With enough practice, you should be able to just hold up the object and the parakeet will repeat the word you taught it. It will simply be repeating the sounds you made but it will appear as if it can actually identify the object.

Section 2 of 2:

Best Teaching Practices

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Have a limited number of parakeets. Parakeets can develop their ability to make noises by talking to other birds, so having a few birds can help both of them develop the variety of their chirping. However, having too many birds will focus all their communication on other birds, instead of on communicating with you.^{[2]
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- Having a few birds will usually not limit your ability to train them to talk but more than a few could hinder your progress.
- If you only have one parakeet, trick it into thinking it has a friend by placing a mirror in its cage. This will help it develop and practice chirping. However, you should take the mirror out of its cage before you start teaching it how to talk, so that your bird focuses its attention on you.^{[3]
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Make your parakeet comfortable with you. Make friends with your bird by spending time with it, speaking to it, and keeping it nice and comfy in your home. Basically, treat your parakeet like it is a part of your family, because it is.
- The goal should be to build up trust between you and your parakeet. Don't force the bird to interact with you if it doesn't want to. If the bird is scared of you or ignoring you it is just a sign that the time is not right or that you are moving too quickly. It is not a sign that your bird will never bond with you.
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Pick the right time to train your parakeet. Make sure that the bird is calm and ready to focus its attention on you. If the bird is tired or distracted, it won't be as easy to train.
- A good time to train your bird is first thing in the morning. You can even start repeating words for your bird before uncovering its cage at the start of the day.

Expert Q&A

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Question

How can I train my parakeet to get on my hand?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Get the bird used to your hand in the cage by hand-feeding a treat. Next, remove the perch and when you replace it tell the bird "Step up." Once the bird is happily popping onto the perch on command, place your finger so it part covers the perch. Praise her when she sits on your finger.

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Question

I have two parakeets, so how do I make one parakeet focus on me and not the other bird?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Either train them separately or teach each bird their name. To do the latter hand feed each bird in turn, repeating their names as you do so.

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Tips

Try singing or playing music to your budgies! Some parakeets will even learn music and repeat it.

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Make noises to them everyday at the same time they will learn to repeat it.

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Combine teaching your parakeet to talk with training it to sit on your finger. If you want your bird to step on your finger, lightly press your finger against his/her stomach. Once the bird is on your finger, you can talk directly to it.

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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

Frequently imagine things from your parakeet's perspective. To them, their cage is a safe space suddenly being intruded by giant unpredictable beings. No wonder it takes patience for them to trust you. But affection, time, and care will be reciprocated as they are social creatures.
If having trouble bonding with new parakeets, don't get discouraged. It can take months for them to warm up and stop being fearful. Let them out weekly and be gentle, not grabbing at them. Over time, consistent patience and care will earn their trust.
To help a parakeet sleep, eliminate noise and vibration near their cage by turning off lights/electronics and not moving about. Only do this when they seem tired — don't force sleep if they are still active. A quiet environment helps them settle.
Always wash hands after touching parakeets to prevent potential salmonella infection. Budgie feathers and droppings carry bacteria that can be harmful to humans if ingested. Basic hygiene protects both you and your feathered friend.
Give your out-of-cage parakeet as much free reign around your space as feasible each day, rotating toys/perches to prevent boredom. This activity and change of scene improves mood and makes them more eager to interact with you.
Experiment with different melodies to find your parakeet's favorite. When they hear a song they like, they'll chirp along happily. But loud, jarring music can distress them. Tailor things to your specific bird's tastes.

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Warnings

Don't scold, scare, or get angry at your parakeet! Not all parakeets can talk. Do not ever be mean to your bird out of disappointment. If you are getting frustrated, walk away instead of punishing your bird for your frustration.

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When you take your bird out of the cage, close your windows. Birds will think it's an exit and might fly into the glass, which could severely hurt or kill them.

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